COVID-19: We must not be complacent, says PM

Prime Minister Voreqe Bainimarama delivers an update during the COVID-19
press briefi ng at the Suvavou House in Suva yesterday. He is joined by the Health
Ministry head of health protection Dr Aalisha Sahukhan, Police Commissioner
Sitiveni Qiliho and Health Minister Dr Ifereimi Waqainabete. Picture: JOVESA NAISUA

AFTER testing 330 suspected cases, there are no new COVID-19 cases in Fiji.

This was the message from Prime Minister Voreqe Bainimarama during a press conference in Suva yesterday.

He said the testing of the 330 cases, many of whom were in contact with the first five and only positive cases, all results had returned negative.

“Meanwhile, the five Fijians living with COVID-19 are all in a stable condition,” he said.

“So while we may not have a new case yet, that fact should not lull anyone into a false sense of security.

“In fact every person in Fiji should act as if anyone anywhere could be a carrier of the virus.

“Act as if you or someone you love is already Fiji’s next case of COVID-19.

“I’m not trying to scare anyone, but I do want every person to recognise the role they have to play.

“Because all it takes is one careless, asymptomatic person to undo all the due diligence and discipline in defeating this virus for good. This is a crisis, lives are on the line, the economy is on the line and we must all treat the situation with total seriousness.”

Mr Bainimarama said it was important for every Fijian to take heed of the nationwide curfew which begins this evening from 10pm to 5am.

Meanwhile, some 638,146 people have been infected by coronavirus across the world and 30,105 have died according to World Health Organization.